The Walrus Says

BY JIM MUNRO

Favorite songs from past concerts will be featured at the Men’s Chorus of Jamestown’s concert at the senior center in Grange Hall this Saturday, Aug. 27, at 7:30 p.m. They include “Brothers, Sing On,” “The Grey Funnel Line,” “Salvation is Created” and “Good Ale.”

Chorus Director B.J. Whitehouse said they will also sing a beautiful and haunting love song from Eastern Europe, specifically, Georgia, entitled “Ts’ints’qaro.”

“It’s about a young man who sees a beautiful young woman near the town of Ts’ints’qaro and falls in love. The biggest stretch for us is the song ‘Homeless’ by Joseph Shabala and Paul Simon. Most of the song is in Swahili and the rhythm makes it a real challenge for the guys, but we’re stepping up.”

Tickets are $7 for general admission and $5 for seniors and will be available at the door. Questions? Call 423-1574.

Sing On!

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A fundraiser raffle for the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association is underway at the museum featuring a restored abandoned lighthouse dollhouse as the top prize. The other prizes are an original framed watercolor of Beavertail painted by a local Rhode Island artist and three gift baskets with four bottles of Beavertail wine and assorted goodies. Tickets are $2 each and three for $5. Ticket holders can choose which prize or prizes they hope to win by placing the ticket stubs into the containers of their choice.

Joan Vessella, who is the association’s secretary and board member, said that the majority of the repair work on the dollhouse was accomplished by Fran Lopes and Sandy Bowder, with assistance from Joan and husbands Al Lopes, Alan Bowder and Vin Vessella. Joan added that Fran and Sandy are the persons responsible for the numerous dollhouses designed and raffled off at St. Mark Church.

The drawings will be on Museum Day, Saturday, Sept. 24. Winners need not be present but are responsible for picking up the prizes. The tower will be open that day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Joan urges islanders to support what she said is the jewel of Jamestown. *** Jametown Boy Scout Troop 1 left its mark on Camp Yawgoog after this year’s one-week encampment. Scoutmaster Jim Archibald reports that for the first time in Yawgoog history the troop brought in a live ant on a leash during a scavenger hunt. Jim did not say how they did that but went on to say the troop also won the Scoutmaster Splash in which competitors try for the best belly flop.

Jim said he was unable to be there for the event so life scout Finn Dwyer filled in and performed a perfect 360-degree belly flop. He beat out the scoutmaster from Troop 240, Mt. Vernon, N.Y., who had won it six years in a row.

During the troop’s stay at the camp, Zachary Neronha was elected senior patrol leader. Zachary said, “Everyone who ran for the position gave great speeches and we now have many new ideas on what we can do as a troop.” He went on to say that many of the younger scouts advanced to the rank of first class and older scouts will now seek leadership positions.

On Sept. 25, from 1 to 3 p.m., the troop will host a scouting afternoon at Fort Getty during which the troop members will display and discuss the various aspects of scouting.

I want to see the live ant on a leash.

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Who was the well-known former political figure who was commonly described as “mellifluous?” John A. Murphy says it was the late Everett Dirkson, U.S. senator for Illinois, who had a polite, cordial and smoothly flowing voice that was pleasing to the ear.

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Kathy Tiexiera called to say she couldn’t remember the name of the song from which last week’s poser lyrics came from but correctly said the artist was James Taylor. Kath O’Neill, Debra Vierra Murphy, Elizabeth Mancini and Keith Stevens knew the answer. Keith wrote saying the song is “You’ve Got A Friend,” written and sung by Carole King in 1971. He added that Taylor sang it the same year in his album “Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon.” Dr. Colin McDonald and Anna Hutchings emailed that the song has been “shared by two special friends and two special artists these last 40 years. Thanks for the memory.”

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From John A. Murphy: She was an important figure in R.I. sports history, who was “Pookie” Fortin?

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Dennis and Robin Lathan wrote, “When we heard of Tuggy’s death we were all saddened. Our family owned the auto body shop on Narragansett Avenue where we had an area in the back, which we used for recreation. It had all the comforts of home: wood stove, TV, music, darts and grills for cooking. We always had something cooking and snacks. Tuggy would always stop by between 3 and 4 [p.m.]. We think he could smell whatever was grilling, but the sweets were his favorite. Tuggy would sit with us for a couple of hours and no matter what kind of day you were having would keep you laughing. He was a sweet, kind man. My name is Dennis but Tuggy always called me Lenny. That was fine with me: Friends always have nicknames. Tuggy was a friend and will be missed. We all miss you Tug.

— ‘Lenny’ and your friends from the old shop.”

R.I.P. Charles “Tuggy” Ceppi.

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The Conanicut Island Sailing Foundation will have a fundraiser pool party and silent auction at 20 Seaview Ave. on Saturday, Sept. 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. The foundation solicits and accepts cash, securities and boats to be sold or leased. The realized revenue will be awarded to sailors based on the needs of the applicants. The goal of the CISF is to achieve sailing excellence with special focus on Conanicut Island residents.

Funding is available for participants of all ages. The fee for the pool party is $35 with children accompanied by their parents admitted free. RSVP by calling 212-772-7550. If you can’t attend, donations can be sent to CISF, 1536 Third Ave., Third floor, New York, NY 10128. Maybe Finn Dwyer will stop by and demonstrate his winning 360-degree belly flop.

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Poser:

There’s so many times I’ve let you down,

So many times I’ve played around,

I tell you now, they don’t mean a thing,

Every place I go, I’ll think of you.

***

I received a call last week from a good friend who is in the amusement and restaurant development business. He’s been looking around New England for promising locations. One of his favorite location venues is near wind turbines. Many towns that had been considering putting one or more up have decided against it. He heard that the possibility of our having a turbine near Potter Cove is still alive.

His first thoughts on the location are positive. It would be near the exit off the bridge and easily seen by drivers. He also thought that he could put lights on the swirling blades to further attract attention. He loves the idea of the nearby beach and foresees boats anchoring out and coming ashore to enjoy the park. People using the beach could park on the large lawn south of the bridge administration building.

He said he will name the park The Refinery and will feature a Ferris wheel as high as the turbine and turning in sync with the blades. A merrygo round will provide happy rides for youngsters but instead of horses there will be giant quahogs. He also plans a seafood restaurant named the Torn Mussel, specializing in mollusks gathered locally. On the day The Refinery opens members of the CRMC will cut the official ribbon.

Of course, this is all preliminary thinking depending on what the Town Council decides to do about the turbine. George said he’ll keep in touch.